• Notices: Health & Safety Notices
     
  • Public Health Organizations:
     
     
     
    Sullivan County Public Health Services Updates:
     
     
    ****** ADVISORIES / INFORMATION ******

    Coronavirus (Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV) Update: 

    February 5, 2020 - Letter from NYS Department of Health and NYS Education Department

    Recently, a new coronavirus called 2019 Novel (new) Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China that has not been previously found in humans. This coronavirus can lead to fever, cough, and shortness of breath. There are thousands of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside of Wuhan. Additional cases are being identified in a growing number of countries, including the United States.

    At this time, there are no cases in New York State. The risk to residents and students is low. At this time of the year, there are many possible causes for respiratory illness. Therefore, there is no need to cancel school or social events, and there is no need for students or school staff to wear surgical masks at school. 

    As a reminder, all student health information is confidential and may only be shared in accordance with FERPA. Students should not be excluded from school or any school activities based on race, country of origin, or recent travel, including to any part of China.

    Read full letter

    Informational Links:

    Video:  Coronavirus: Impact on School Districts (NYSSBA News)

     

    Vaccination Update: 

    June 14th:  Statement on Legislation Removing Non-Medical Exemption from School Vaccination Requirements


    On June 13, 2019, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation removing non-medical exemptions from school vaccination requirements for children. The United States is currently experiencing the worst outbreak of measles in more than 25 years, with outbreaks in pockets of New York primarily driving the crisis. As a result of non-medical vaccination exemptions, many communities across New York have unacceptably low rates of vaccination, and those unvaccinated children can often attend school where they may spread the disease to other unvaccinated students, some of whom cannot receive vaccines due to medical conditions. This new law will help protect the public amid this ongoing outbreak.
    What did the new law do?


    As of June 13, 2019, there is no longer a religious exemption to the requirement that children be vaccinated against measles and other diseases to attend either:
    • public, private or parochial school (for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade), or
    • child daycare settings.


    For those children who had a religious exemption to vaccination, what are the deadlines for being vaccinated?


    Children who are attending child daycare or public, private or parochial school, and who had a religious exemption to required immunizations, must now receive the first age-appropriate dose in each immunization series by June 28, 2019, to attend or remain in school or child daycare. Also, by July 14, 2019 parents and guardians of such children must show that they have made appointments for all required follow-up doses. The deadlines for follow-up doses depend on the vaccine. The New York State Department of Health follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices catch-up immunization schedule and expects children to receive required doses consistent with Table 2 at the following link in order to continue to attend school or child daycare: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/child/0-18yrs-child-combined-schedule.pdf


    What is the deadline for first dose vaccinations if my child is not attending school until September?


    Parents and guardians of all children who do not have their required immunizations are encouraged to have them receive the first dose as soon as possible. The deadline for obtaining first dose vaccinations for children attending school in the fall is 14 days from the first day of school. Within 30 days of the first day of school, parents and guardians of such children must show that they have made appointments for all required follow-up doses.


    Additional information will be forthcoming.

    Department of Health | Office of Children and Family Services | State Education Department Notice 

    Vaccination Clinic Information

     

    Measles Update:

    Measles spreads easily and can be dangerous to anyone who is not vaccinated. 

    Information from Public Health Services:

    Link to Sullivan County Public Health Services: Measles Information

    If you have questions about measles or the measles vaccine, do not hesitate to call the New York State Measles Hotline at 888-364-4837.

     

    Additional Information:

     

  • Health & Safety Notices:

     

    Annual Asbestos Management Plan Notification

    In accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1987 (40 CFR Part 763), Sullivan County BOCES conducts all required inspections and staff training.  Asbestos projects are performed by trained and licensed professionals in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations.  Details of activities are described in the district’s AHERA management plan, which is available for review during normal business hours in both the BOCES Administration Library and in the Maintenance Office of the Rubin Pollack Education Center. 

    For more information, please contact the Health & Safety Office at (845) 295-4028.  

     

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    New Lead Testing Regulations: Sullivan BOCES Results

    As you may know, in early September Governor Cuomo signed a law requiring all public schools and BOCES to test water for lead. The law required that all water used for drinking or cooking be tested in all student-occupied buildings. Testing in elementary school buildings had to be conducted by September 30, 2016 and testing in high school buildings had to be completed by October 31, 2016. Sullivan County BOCES complied with both of these deadlines.

    Water levels must be below 15 parts per billion (ppb) or the district must take immediate steps to prohibit the use of the water outlet and begin remediation. The Sullivan County BOCES Health & Safety office has worked diligently to ensure that the BOCES and our local component school districts are in compliance with the new regulations. 

    Sullivan County BOCES collected two-hundred and seventy-nine (279) samples from seven (7) different buildings that are specifically used for Sullivan County BOCES programs and services. 

    A total of fourteen (14) samples tested above the 15 ppb action level requirement established by New York State. As a result of the testing, one (1) classroom sink at the WSS elementary building has been shut down, one (1) classroom sink at RPEC has been shut down and five (5) outside water faucets have been marked not for drinking. In addition, two (2) water fountains in the SJS building have been shut down, however, they are not located in the portion of the building that the BOCES currently leases for its instructional programs.

    The following information has been posted on the SCBOCES website: (Please click on the items you would like to view)
     
     
    • Copies of the laboratory test results received to date

    • Additional information about the lead testing requirements

    Sullivan County BOCES will continue to work in conjunction with its Health & Safety Coordinator to remediate the water outlets and retest. In addition, laboratory results for some samples in the St John Street building and the administrative building have not been received. When these results are provided to the BOCES, we will post the updated information on the BOCES website.